Top 12 Jazz Albums To Have In Your Record Collection | TRC Listening Guide

The world of Jazz is vast and diverse and ever-evolving. To pause a moment in time, here is a compilation of distinct albums that have been remarkable and heavily celebrated for being innovative and imaginative; embedding themselves in history of jazz itself. Tell us which ones you own/would like to own in the comments below.

1. Kind Of Blue - Miles Davis:

Possibly at top of this list if there was an order, and the best-selling jazz album of all time, Kind of Blue brings together an all-star cast in the sextet that gave birth to a musical language that still remains highly influential even beyond the jazz world. It balances the intensity with a relaxed vibe to create extended grooves that keeps you glued.

Notable Track: So What

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2. Blue Train - John Coltrane:

Featuring Coltrane and his sextet comprising of Kenny Drew, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones and also Jazz Messengers Lee Morgan and Curtis Fuller, this album is a wonderful validation of Coltrane’s creativity after he began rebuilding his life after overcoming addiction. On this six-track album’s title song, you will also find his distinct “Sheets of Sound” improvisation theme.

Notable Track: Blue Train

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3. In A Silent Way - Miles Davis:

American jazz trumpeter, composer, and bandleader Miles Davis compelled the world to make the distinction between what was rock and what was jazz with an album that probably lay somewhere between the two genres. The music is transcendental, deeply emotive and original.

Notable Track: In A Silent Way

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4. Time Out - Dave Brubeck Quartet:

This 1959 album coming out at the same time as Ornette Coleman’s The Shape of Jazz to Come, challenged the revolutionary and innovative nature as characterized by the latter into a slightly different one- that was brought about by exploring sonically on standard tunes leaving it grounded yet free-spirited.

Notable Track: Take Five

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5. Mingus Ah Um - Charles Mingus:

This one has it all! Celebrating the melding of hard bop with plaintive blues cries and holy gospel cadences. It was the birth of a unique style. One will find up tempo songs like “Better Git It in Your Soul” balanced with ballads like our choice of notable track, that touch you deeply on this record.

Notable Track: Goodbye Pork Pie Hat

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6. The Sidewinder - Lee Morgan:

You cannot miss the soul-jazz groove and infectious horn motifs on the title song. The album brings together saxophonist Joe Henderson to balance Morgan’s flighty sound, with solid support from Barry Harris, Bob Cranshaw and Billy Higgins in the rhythm section. The result is extreme freedom and celebration of music.

Notable Track: The Sidewinder

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7. Saxophone Colossus - Sonny Rollins:

This incredible album really shines light on Rollins’ capacity as an improviser. He is joined by the likes of legendary bebop drummer Max Roach and the quartet comes together to create pure magic! His solos are impactful with strong emotion and a fluidity that takes different forms.

Notable Track: St. Thomas

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8. Sunday at the Vanguard Village - Bill Evans Trio:

Bill Evans characterized the melting of bebop and impressionist classical music to bring to life a new sensibility to jazz piano playing. When you listen to this album, it is easy to get lost and not be able to discern how the trio moves along, a collective improv of sorts showing the fluidity of their musical communication.

Notable Track: My Man’s Gone Now

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9. Moanin by Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers:

As a drummer, Art Blakey was instinctive, powerful and subtle. Combining all three, he could make tracks swing and also complement soloists. His ingenuity can be found in this 1958 album that packs top-notch songs like “Blues March” and “Along Came Betty”.

Notable Track: Moanin’

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10. The Shape of Jazz to Come - Ornette Coleman:

One of the most revolutionary jazz albums of all time, this features a spectacular quartet comprising trumpeter Don Cherry, bassist Charlie Haden and drummer Billy Higgins with Coleman on the lead. With their reimaginations of melody and harmony. It gave birth to a new musical language that would occupy the forefront of the free jazz movement of the 60s.

Notable Track: Lonely Woman

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11. Out to Lunch - Eric Dolphy:

A leading light of the avant-garde movement, Eric Dolphy was recorded Out to Lunch in the free jazz era with Freddie Hubbard, Bobby Hutcherson, Richard Davis, and an 18-year-old Tony Williams on drums. The music is exploratory, with a prevailing sense of swing that makes the entire composition cohesive.

Notable Track: Hat and Beard

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12. Head Hunters - Herbie Hancock:

Where do we begin about Hancock! This fusion superstar hit #1 on the US Jazz charts with this album. His wizardry spreads across jazz and funk here, with the instruments being well-balanced to make way for the groove, synth and bass to co-exist playfully together.

Notable Track: Chameleon

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